Santa's Village - New Hampshire

I am not an amusement park kind-of-gal but here me out when I say Santa's Village is a magical place. There is no shortage of things to do around the holiday season but a trip to Santa's Village is just about the best way to kick off the season. You travel to northern New Hampshire and I mean north, like not too far from the Canadian border north to the quiet little town of Jefferson.  The weather is chilly and you walk into a Christmas themed park with everyone bundled up, carrying a hot chocolate and sporting a smile as kids head to their favorite ride or the barn to see Santa's reindeer. 

The instant you walk in, it's just Christmas cheer, the friendliest park staff, the cutest classic rides reimagined, and some serious attention to detail. The carousel? It's all reindeer. Monorail? A sled takes you around and above the park. It's lit up at night and there are letters where you can write to Santa, a station to drop off your letters, a place to meet him, and even a barn where you can feed the reindeer (my favorite). There's an elf scavenger hunt, places to shop and eat, treats galore, and it's truly the perfect size to spend the day or a half day. 

We went for the first time with our nephews a few years ago and this was our first time taking our own kids. I know they say Disney is the happiest place on earth but I've been to both and let me tell you, they are wrong, it's Santa's Village. 

The park is open weekends only in November and December and closes the day before Thanksgiving, opening up for one more day on New Years Eve. After that, the park remains closed until the end of May when it reopens for the season as a Christmas themed-park even in the summer, water park included. 

If you've been to the park before, you probably love it and it certainly has a die hard fan club. Season passes for the park sell out in just a few hours and Saturdays in the moth of December quickly sell out. The park is open May through December and has a water park open in the summer which makes it a 3 season park for the Christmas obsessed or anyone who wants access to the cutest park with a ton of New England Charm. 

Need to Know

• Tickets are sold online only and sell out to limit capacity at the park 
• The park operates rain, snow or shine so be prepared to visit in all weather (and no refunds) - bundle up! 
• There are "canine condos" available for dogs (for free) if you visit with your dog and need somewhere for them to stay 
  
• Almost all of the rides were "toddler friendly" with a parent. Whitney was able to go on just about every ride at almost 3 years old. 
• There are indoor areas where you can warm up
• Children ages three and younger are free of charge and do not require a ticket for admission to the park. Admission for 4 and up is $52 a person
• Saturdays are sold out for the rest of the month (December 2023) and the park is ope from 11am-7pm. On Sundays, the park is open 11 to 6. 
• We stayed at Cabot Inn and Suites just down the road which made this an easy trip. The hotel was affordable, very family friendly, and while a bit outdated, it was spotless and well taken care of. 
• The park is close to a bunch of other attractions including Mount Washington Cog Railway (30 minutes), Lincoln (45 minutes), Story Land (50 minutes), some amazing hiking in the Whites, and the Vermont border. 

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